Projectnola.com

Friends and family said goodbye to a good samaritan Friday. Mike Ainsworth, the man who was killed last week while trying to prevent a neighbor from being car-jacked, was laid to rest.

It was a fitting farewell for a man who lost his life trying to protect another. Hundreds filed into St. Louis Cathedral to offer their condolences to Mike Ainsworth's family. His brother, Billy, says the support has been over-whelming. “I've had so many people that I don't know, didn't know my brother, anyone in my family, just walk up to me and just give me a big hug,” Billy Ainsworth said.

That's because Mike wasn't just an ordinary Algiers point resident; he was well liked, and well known, because of his work with the NOPD's 8th district.

While walking to the district station for a reception after the mass, officers showed their support for the good Samaritan, saluting his family.

Once inside the station, officers unveiled one final tribute to Mike Ainsworth. a plaque, honoring all of the volunteer work he's done for the officers and the station.

Ainsworth painstakingly painted the ceiling of the station. It was the least he could do, his mom says, to give back to the department he so loved. “He wanted so bad to be a police officer. But the best he could do was to volunteer his time, and he was happy with that,” Yvonne Ainsworth said.

While Mike Ainsworth's dreams were cut short, he has two young boys whom his mom says will carry on their father's dream. “I see another Mike coming up, somebody that will get involved, that will care enough about others and how they deal with things to put his foot forward and get involved with everybody,” Yvonne explained.

Mike Ainsworth lived and died, a hero. His family says he will never be forgotten.

Police continue to search for the man they say shot and killed Ainsworth. If you have any information, call Crimestoppers, at 822-1111.